Gauge line cleaning device



y 5, J.'L.MQORE Em 2,424,046

GAUGE LINE CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 27, 1945 Q O o i E o 9 l a fl awe/who's 4 /52,? L. Moore a fiQ/"Pg 'MOO e Patented July 15, 1947 u'mr so PATENT QFF'liG-E My ffifif :fiiflffiif: i121, Tex.

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to measuring devices, and more particularly to a cleaning device to be used with a gauge line for measuring the depth of oil in a tank,

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved structure for removing oil from a gauge line after measuring the depth of oil in a tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device for a gauge line which will impose a minimum of wear on the line during the cleaning process.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a gauge line cleaning device in accordance with this invention, a portion being broken away to show the internal structure.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through a roller member employed in the device of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the frame member of the device of Figure 1 before bending to final shape.

Figure 6 is a detail view of a movable roller support member employed in the device of Figure 1 before bending to final shape.

Referrin to the drawings, I designates a frame element comprising a piece of sheet metal or similar material formed as shown in Figure 5 and comprising lower wing portions 2, 2, a body portion 3 and upper flange portions 4, 4. Wing portions 2, 2 and flange portions 4, 4 are bent at right angles with respect to body portion 3. Wing portions 2, 2 are provided with appropriate openings to receive a first transverse pin member 5, a second transverse pin 6 and a third transverse pin 1. Pivotally mounted on pin 6 is a roller member 8 comprising a rigid core portion and a tread portion of Neoprene or other oilresistant elastic material. Pivotally mounted on pin 5 is a support member I5 comprising a lower section having win portions 9, 9 and a body portion I0, said lower section being bent to form a U-shaped structure with wing portions 9, 9 parallel to each other. Hingedly secured to the top edge of body portion I0 is an elongated arm II provided with a cap member I2' secured thereto at its top edge, said cap member being formed of Neoprene or similar oil-resistant elastic material. Wing portions 9, 9 are formed with appropriate openings adjacent their top edges for pivotal mounting on pin 5.

Pivotally mounted by a pin I3 transversely secured to wing portions 9, 9 is a roller I4, slightly smaller but otherwise similar to roller 8.

As shown in Figure 1, arm II is received between flange portions 4, 4 and projects substantially above the top edge of .body portion 3 of frame member I. Downward pressure on cap I2 urges movable roller I4 toward stationary roller 8.

Vertical body portion 3 of the frame element I is provided with an opening I6 at its upper portion for passage therethrough of a pin element carried by a handle member I8, said pin element being secured to a U-shaped bracket member I! which carries a reel on which the gauge line is wound, as shown in dotted view in Figures 1 and 2. The reel may be provided with a winding handle I9. The gauge line passes between rollers 8 and I4. The arrangement of the handles I8 and I9 with respect to cap I2 is such that cap I2 may be pressed by a finger of the hand which holds handle I8 while the other hand rotates handle I9 to draw in the gauge line. The pressure on cap I2 is transmitted to movable roller l4 which squeezes the gauge line against stationary roller 8, thereby removing excess oil from the line as said line is wound up on its reel.

While a specific embodiment of a gauge line cleaning device has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention other than as defined by the scope of the appended claims,

What is claimed is:

1. A gauge line cleaning device comprising a frame member having a body portion and a pair of parallel wing portions extending at right angles to said body portion, a first roller rotatably carried by said frame member between said wing portions, 2. support element pivotally secured to said frame member between said wing portions, a second roller rotatably carried by said support element on an axis parallel to the axis of said first roller, the pivotal securement of said support element being on an axis parallel to the axes of said rollers, and means carried by said support, element and cooperating with said frame member for rotating said support element around its pivotal axis to urge said second roller against said first roller,

2. The structure of claim 1, and wherein said means comprises a slidable arm offset with respect to said second roller hingedly secured to said support-element; r

3. The structure "of claim 1, and wherein said means comprises a slidable arm ofiset-with respect to said second roller hingedly secured to said support element and projecting above the top edge of said body portion.

JERRY L. MOORE. HARVEY MOORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date 2,305,011 Kienninger Dec. 15, 1942 2,157,024 l Smith May 2, 1939 

